mid east’s first urban biodiversity park is a game-changer for the region’s public realm

mid east’s First UrBaN BiOdiversity ParK is a gameCHaNger FOr tHe regiON’s PUBliC realm.

Recently opened in Abu Dhabi, Al Fay Park is a new kind of urban nature park

By: SLA

With its innovative biodiversity, microclimate and social activities, Al Fay Park is a paradigm shift in how to design and implement nature in the dense megacities of the Middle East.

Gone are the water-consuming and soulless ‘Las Vegas landscapes’ of the past. Enter Al Fay Park – a new 27,500 m2 public park in downtown Abu Dhabi that signals a new kind of Middle Eastern city development: Driven by inclusive nature rather than iconic buildings.

Al Fay Park is designed by Danish naturebased design studio SLA for the client Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport and has been dubbed ‘a game-changer’ in how to design and implement city nature in the dense megacities of the Middle East. The park is the first urban park in UAE that uses biodiversity to enhance the local microclimate as well as the social public realm. The park design is devised through SLA’s inhouse biologists and planting experts’ yearlong research

studies of the region’s unique nature and wildlife. Its published in an internal plant book covering all the native plant species of the UAE, their optimal growing and living conditions, and how to integrate them into design.

“Al Fay Park is a new type of forest park in Abu Dhabi. Through our extensive research in the region’s flora and fauna, we create a new paradigm for how to think and design public realm in the Middle East. Al Fay Park is a celebration of Abu Dhabi’s native nature and culture and a prime example of how to maximize climate action, increase life-quality, and radically improve the biodiversity of an entire city – all on a former sand site,” says Rasmus Astrup, Design Principal and Partner in SLA.

the coolest place in town

Meaning “The Shade Park” in Arabic, Al Fay Park channels the park’s innovative use of nature-based design solutions to lower the temperature and create optimal microclimate throughout the day. The park’s official hashtag is #followtheshade. The shade is provided by more than 2,000 native trees and bushes – including the national Ghaf trees that have been replanted from desert nurseries into the park – all specifically chosen to strengthen biodiversity for both plants and wildlife and to maximize natural cooling throughout the park. The resulting microclimate reduces traffic noise and temperature and creates a distinct forest-like environment. The sloping entrances funnels the cooler southern breeze down into the park while local grasses and bushes reduce sand infiltration. “Al Fay Park is specifically designed to provide both biological, environmental and social benefits to Abu Dhabi. The density of the trees, the soil design, the irrigation using solely recirculated water, and the sole use of native species not only ensure that the park has radically reduced its irrigation with 40 percent compared to conventional parks. The planting also attracts bees, pollinators, birds and animals, providing a lush and lively atmosphere in the middle of Abu Dhabi – this is a with 100 percent birdsong guaranty! Lastly, the microclimate design provides the best possible social ecosystem for play, sports and leisure – making Al Fay Park both socially and climatically ‘the coolest place in town’,” says Astrup. Benefitting from the optimized microclimate, Al Fay Park is buzzling with social activities such as multiple sports facilities, playgrounds, street fitness, climbing walls, minigolf, food trucks and a host of informal outdoor seating areas. Along the edge of the park, a winding forest track invites visitors to explore sensuous and wild nature experiences amongst the flowers and grasses and under the canopies. The result is a park with authentic ecosystems and natural habitats for wildlife that also is an open invitation for all to explore nature, interact with each other and relax together in a peaceful, comfortable and serene setting.

“The world-class design of Al Fay Park has created an environment that encourages community members to socially engage with one another while also connecting with the nature that surrounds them. We’re looking forward to witnessing the growth of this dynamic park that will benefit Abu Dhabi for future generations to come,” says Latifa Al Hallami, Acting Director of Urban Growth, at Department of Municipalities and Transport. All in all, Al Fay Park is the Middle East’s first showcase of how to strengthen urban biodiversity while creating a cool, comfortable and unique round-the-clock public realm for all residents and visitors to meet, play and live.

Landscape Architect: SLA Client: Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport Size: 27,500 sqm Completion: March 2021 Collaborators: Parsons (architect of record), iGuzzini (lighting), Barari (contractor)

Images provided by ©SLA/Philip Handforth